Jennifer Hudson Did Something Awesome for Her Assistant

Jennifer Hudson did something really awesome for her assistant this Christmas, and her assistant responded in an equally awesome fashion.

On Dec. 31, Hudson uploaded a video to her Instagram account that showed the moment her assistant, Walter Williams, found out she was buying him a house for Christmas.

Hudson and Williams met as kids while attending Yale Elementary School in Chicago, according to E! News. They’ve been through it all together.

After high school, he became her manager and tried to get her noticed by entering her in talent competitions at gay clubs, Williams told Entertainment Weekly back in 2009. He stuck with her through her “American Idol” auditions, even after she only placed seventh in the competition.

”I promised her that I wouldn’t stop until the whole world saw her,” he said. Despite all the fame, she hasn’t changed. ”You know, out of all this, all the press and the accolades, she has remained true to herself. She’s still the same sweet girl I met in grammar school. She’s still Jennifer.”

In 2011, Hudson told the Advocate she considers Williams her closest friend.